Safety valve



Nov. 12, 1940. 1 A. sAFFoRD A1:1- AL SAFETY VALVE Filed Dec.

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'mventcvn Samui/n @LSU/FFO@ Gttornegs lli) Patente-d Nov. 12, 1940 i UNITED] PTENT @OFFICE f SAFETY VALVE Lewis ..S'aior`d and John M. Love, Watertown, 'N. 'Y.,`j assignorsltoThe New York Air Brake Y {C'ompan'a corporation of New Jersey Application December 26, 1939, serial No. 310,992

10 Claims.

This invention relates tosafety valves, and the object of the invention is -to produce a safety valve which will combine large discharge capacity with the characteristic of closing after a relatively limited blowdown, so that the valve will regulate with'precision, v

The invention produces a valvewhich can be made in large sizes, which opens lsharply at a definite pressure, which permits the pressure of opening to be adjusted'within limits, -and which includes means to adjust the amount ofA blowdown.

The result is secured by causing, the valve to expose a sharply increased area .as it starts from its seat in an opening direction, and preventing the development of fluid pressure lresistance to opening until after full discharge pressure has been developedV over the increased area.4 The valve then opens so rapidly to its Wide open position that the development of blowdoWn-controlling pressure has no appreciable throttling effect on the valve. Fromits wide .open position, the valve under the urge of the springy and blowdown controlling` pressure moves relatively slowly in a closing direction as a result of the reduction of discharge pressure, andl then suddenly develops above the valve a sharp Imomentary .increase in the bloWdo-wn controlling pressure, which is eiectiveto cause the valve to close rapidly. For purposes ofcomparison, a valve embodying the porting characteristics ofthe present invention was tested against a commercial safety Valve similar in size and maximum discharge capacity. Both were set to open at 150 pounds per square inch gauge pressure. The commercial valve would develop its full capacity if adjusted for a blowdown of approximately ten poundspersquare inch or more. It could b e adjusted for' a blowdown as small as two pounds per-square inch, but when so adjusted would not open Wide and exhibited a very pronounced throttlirig characteristic. Consequently, itl had a vvery small .discharge capacity. The valveof the presentinvention developed its full discharge capacity when adjusted for a blowdown a-s small as two pounds, and regulated very closely.

Close regulation seems to beV increasingly difficult with increases in size -of `thefvalves,` and it may be said that the present invention,- has been used in sizes as large as two-inch, Without indicating that Vthe limit `of.. size was veven being approached. f 'I'he invention has particular` utility in fair vbrake systems in which a compressor oflarge capacity is used to charge the main reservoir and is controlled in'response yto reservoir pressure by means of a so-called pump governor. A safety valve is applied to the `reservoir to protect it against excessivev pressure. The safety Valve must have a capacity at least equal to the charging capacity of the compressor. To render the protection effective, the Valve must open at a denitepressure not greatly above theclosing setting of. the governor, and must not have a 10 blowdown which will cause the pressure -to fall bevlowthel opening setting of the governor. Becauseof the lack of large capacity in commercial safety valves at sucha limited blovvdown adjustment, it has frequently been necessary'to use A15 in .main reservoirs .a plurality of safety valves whose aggregate" .capacity exceeds lthe capacity of thecompressors. C 'I'he invention is inthe nature of an improvementv onthe.valveldescribed and claimed in the L20 .patent to ,Campbell and Salford, No. 2,165,611, is-

sued July. 11', 1939.,vv ThatY valve is characterized by precise loperation and limited blowdown. .Its -mostimportant feature was the fact ,i that it would positively. open and'close sharply on a slow- 25 ly rising pressure andz'thusV give stable operation at -a very llimited blowdown. adjustment' when called upon-fior. discharging small `amounts Vof air.

Attempts'to develop the Safford Vand Campbell 30 .valve into. a large capacity valve demonstrated that-structural and `functional `changes were necessary` to giveI limited blowdown without interference with its maximum discharge capacity. The present invention involves. the features de- ,35 veloped to meet that new and different service requirement. A particular embodiment of the invention will nowb'e .described vin connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:A

`Figure 1 isa vertical axial section through the valve .in closed position. Figure 2-is a similar, view showing the valve moving in an opening direction and just before discharge ilowcommences.` I 45 f Figure 3 is a similarview showing the valve wideopen. v -v FigureAshows a critical position rof the valve assumed as it moves in a closing direction. Figure 5 is a'section through the kvalve on vthe 50 linef5-5 of Figure 1. o

`In lthe drawing, @represents the body of the -valve which rterminates `in a nipple, 1, pipe threadedto serve as the'me'ans for connecting the valvel with the discharge port from the vreservoir 55 or other pressure vessel. A strainer 8 is retained by a threaded bushing 9 and` is designed to protect the valve seat from dust and grit.

Internally, the body 6 is bored out to form a cylindrical guide for the cup-shaped cylindrical valve hereinafter described, the guiding surface being indicated by the numeral II. This terminates in a reaction shoulder I2. The body is counterbored at asomewhat smaller idiameter to a second reactionl shoulder I3 which surrounds the conical valve seat I4.

Some distance above the reaction shoulder I2 is an annular rectangular groove I5 cutin the body 6 and from this leadsan annular series of discharge ports I6. Only two of these-ports appear on the plane of section, Figs. l-4, but Fig. 5 shows the arrangement clearly.

Above the groove I5 and formed in the body` 6 is a second groove I1, also annular and of rectangular cross-section. The relation of this grooveA to the upper limit of the valve element I8 is clearly illustrated in the drawings-and will be further explained. Above the bore thev body `6 .is bored to slightly larger'diameter'and is internally and externally threaded as indicated at I9 and 2|. Above the groove I1, there is'anannular series of ports 22,` through the body 6.

The valve element I8 is cup-shaped and-has at its lower end a conical seating'areav 23 which mates with the seat I4. Above theA area 23 there is an undercut reaction shoulder 24 which inthe seated position :of the 4Vvalve (Figure 1) enters the counterbore below the'shoulder I2"aI denite distance and above shoulder 24 is a second square reaction shoulder 25 which in such seated position is below the lower margin of the groove I5 about half that distance. In other words, in the closing position of the valve, the lap at the shoulder I2 .is about twice the lap at the lower margin of the groove I5. Inavalve of ordinary y`size,

.theselaps areof'the order of alf* and"%4 of an inch, respectively, which `dimensions are 'sug gested as illustrativeand asa basisof discussion.

Extending from the lower'reaction'shoulder' 24 through the body of the valve are ports 26, twov of whichare shown on the plane of section. AAs' a rule, six are used pervalve (seeFig. 5). The number to be used is a function of the' sizeY of the .port and the vpurpose is to secure ow without `serious throttling'from the spacebelow' the 'reaction shoulder 24 to an annular rectangular groove 21 which is turned in the outer"cylindrical surface of the valve. The ports 26 are" formed by drilling and plugging. The plugs areindicated at 28, .and the drilled'ports 26'are'so` located as to open laterally into' the 'groove`21' and yinto the space beneath the reactionv shoulder'24.

When the valve is closed, the iiupper`margin of the groove '21 is below the" lowerimargin'of thegroove I1, .and the lap is approximately; the same as the lap of the reaction shoulderi25'below `the. lower margin, of the 'groove' I5. `Assuming the dimensions above stated, this lap would therefore be approximately 45.; of an. inch. "The clearance or. negative lap betweenthe topoffthe valve I8 and the upper margin of the groove I1 is veryslightly less than the lap at the reaction shoulder 24, so. that (see Fig. 2) just` before the shoulder 24 clearsthe shoulderllthe` upper margin of the valve I8 will start to. lap the.1upper margin of the groove I1.

.The internal threads `indicated at129 "at Athe upper end of the valve havesno'functional significance 'and are intended forV f the Ireception 1 f :a valvepulling tool. Threaded into"theinternal `21and groove I1are not yet in register.

-space' within the body 6 above valve I8.

threads I9 on body 6 is a spring seat 3|. This has a central guide for the stem 32 whose enlarged head 33 enters the valve I8 and is urged downward there-against by a coil compression spring 34 which is conned between the head 33 and the spring seat 3|.

The stress on the spring is adjusted by screwing the seat.3| into and out of theupper end of the housing 6'and when the proper adjustment is made, the spring seat is locked by a threaded member 35 which also engages the threads I9. `The upper end of the housing is closed and the Yopening movement of the valve stem 32 is limited lby. a .cap 36 ,which..screws onto the external .threads 2|. SITo -iixlthe cap in position, a kerf 31 is formed in -a` lug Aon its lower rim. The kerf is closed and the cap thus locked in place by means of a locking screw 38.

`.To throttle the ports 22 to any desired degree and thus control the blowdown of the valve, a throttling ring 4I is threaded on the external threads 2|. It may be locked in adjusted positionsby a nut42, also mounted on the threads 2 I.

Consider the valve in its closed position (Figure' 1) and assume that the spring 34 is so stressed that the valve will start to open at 150- pounds gauge pressure. When this pressure is reached,the surface 23 will crack from the seat I 4"an'd admit fluid to the space below the rst 'reaction shoulder 24. YDuring the interval of time inwhich pressure is developing under this shoulder the ports 26 are closed because groove The valve I8 quickly'assumes'the position shown in -Figure'4- The'valve has moved far enough oii its seat so' that'no more throttling occurs at the rseat-and the 'full discharge pressure is acting on the areaof the reaction shoulders 24. Thus a 'sharp increase in the force moving the valve in an opening direction is developed before ports 26 'areopened Further movement of the valve is -extremely rapid. y It passes so quickly to and -through the position shown in Figure 2, in which 'the grooves I1 and 21 are in register and the up- 'per end of the valve I8 has just lapped the upper edge of -groove I1, that very little fluid flows throughports 26, groove 21, and groove I1 to the In then lmoving to the position of Figure 3, the valve opens the discharge ports I6 to the discharge pressure -and brings both reaction shoulders into the path of 'the-:discharging iiuid.

In thls'position the forces urging the valve in -anopening direction have suffered a marked increase Which has not been matched by increasing tension lofr the spring. Discharge pressure must therefore'decrease before the Valve will move in a'closing direction. The regulation of this blowdown 'is-obtained by making use of the leakage past the lvalve I8 into the spring chamber. By 'throttlingtlie exhaust through holes 22 by the adjustingring 4 I the uid pressure acting on top `of valve I8 maybe variedv within wide limits and thusaforce to'supplement the spring force may be chosen.

'As' the discharge pressure diminishes, the valve starts to move slowly in a closing direction. As it reaches -a'position'just below that of Figure 2,

suddenly admitted to the spring chamber through ports`-26,v and givesL the valve a'iinal, Asharp closingimpulse. f'Atfthe'same' time, reaction shoul- `-7-5 y valve.

der 24 laps shoulder y'l 2 before're'action shoulder 25 laps the lower edge of groove |15.'y `'I-'he' cavity under shoulder 25'therefore suffers a sudden drop in uid pressure, decreasing'v the fo'rc'e tending to hold the valve open. ff 'Y The blowdown characteristic of the valve may,

vin valves of commercial size, be varied by adjustadjustment.

The precise operating characteristics resulting from the particular portlarrangem-ent has been described in considerable detail, but timing of the sequence of port openings is also ofsome importance. During opening movement of the valve, the effective area exposed to discharge pressure is increased sofast that the valve is forced wide open with 'no hesitation. Duringthis movement' development 'of fluid pressure resistance is delayed until after' the valve. has left its seat far enough to avoid throttling. Soon after the valve reaches its wide-open position, the blowdown controllin'gpressure above the valve reaches its normal value, and the valvestarts to move slowly toward its seat. When the ports 26 open they do so at a definite discharge pressure determined by spring tension andpressure above the The valve then :completes its i closing movement almostinstantly.H Y l vTwo reaction shoulders-are better'than one, and the best arrangement known is `with two shoulders andthe ports 26 leading from the lower shoulder, i. e., the one which is first subject to pressure. These featuresI are,l however, capable of some variation. The indispensible feature so far as valve capacity andprecision' of action are concerned, is the timing of the valve action,v at

groove l1. Thus, the particular embodiment described is to be taken as illustrative and not limiting, within the ranges .defined by the claims.

What is claimedis: 4 I

1. In a safety valve, the combination of a valve housing formed witha cylinder-like guideway for a piston-like poppet'valve, a valve seat and a discharge passage leading tosaid seat; a pistonlike poppet valve movable in said guideway to and from said seat; yielding means urging said valve toward said seat, the valve having a reaction shoulder exposed to discharging pressure fluid by opening movement of the valve and the housing having relief ports which are exposed to such fluid on further opening movement of the valve, the housingbehind the valve forming a closed chamber except for vent ports of limited capacity through the wall thereof; and means including coacting ports in the valve and housing for connecting said closed chamber with the space below said reaction shoulder when the valve is within a limited range of motion intermediate its full open and its closed positions and for interrupting said connection at other times.

2. In a safety valve, the combination of a valve housing formed with a cylinder-like guideway for a piston-like poppet valve, a valve seat and a distoward said seat, the valve having a reaction shoulder exposed todischarging pressure iluid by lopening movement of the valve and the housing having relief ports which are exposed to such fluid on further opening movement of the valve, the housing behind the valve forming a closed chamber except for vent portsof limited capacity vthrough the wall thereof; and means including coacting portsV in the -valve and housing for connecting said closed chamber with the space belowVr said reaction shoulder when the valve is within a limited range of motion intermediate its full open` and its closedpositions in which said relief ports are exposed, and for interrupting said connection in the full open position of the valve.

3. In a safety valve, the combination of a valve housing formed with a cylinder-like guideway for a piston-like poppet valve, a valve seat and a discharge passage leading to said seat; a

piston-like poppet valve movable in said guidekWay to and from said seat; yielding means urgof; and means including coacting ports in the fvalve and housing .for connecting said closed chamber ,with the space below one of said reaction shoulders when the valve is within a limited range of motion intermediate its full open and closed positions and for interrupting said connection at other-times.

fl.A In a safety valve the combination of a valve housingformed with a cylinder-like guideway for a piston-like poppet valve, a valve seat and a discharge passage leadingtor said seat; a pistonlike poppet Avalve `movable in said guideway to and from saidseat; yielding means urging said .valve toward said seat, the valvehaving a plurality of reactionshoulders of increasing diameters which are successively exposed to dischargingl pressure fluid by opening movement of the valve, and the housing having relief, ports which are exposed to such uid bythe opening move- .ment of the valve after exposure of the first reaction shoulder, the housing behind the valve forming a closed chamber except for vent ports of limited capacity through the walls thereof; and means including coacting ports in the valve and housing for connecting said closed chamber with the space below the fisrt exposed reaction shoulder when the valve is within a limited range of motion intermediate its full open and its closed position and for interrupting said connection at other times.

5. In a safety valve the combination of a valve housing formed with a cylinder-like guideway for a piston-like poppet valve, a valve seat and a discharge passage leading to said seat; a pistonlike poppet valve movable in said guideway to and from said seat; yielding means urging said valve toward said seat, the valve having a plurality of reaction shoulders of increasing diameters Which are successively exposed to discharging pressure fluid by opening movement of the are exposed togsnchxiiuidl by theopening movement of the valve after exposure of the first re- ;action shoulder, thevhousing behind the valve `forming a closed chamber except for vent ports of limited capacity through the Walls thereof; and means including coacting ports in the valve and housing for connecting said closed chamber with the space below the rst exposed reaction shoulder when the valve is within a limited range of motion intermediate its full open and its closed position and in which said relief` ports are exposed.

6. In a safety valve the combination of a valve housing formed with a cylinder-like guideway for a piston-like poppet valve, a valve seat and a discharge passage leading to said seat; a pistonlike poppet valve movable in said guideway to and from. said seat; yielding means urging said valve toward said seat, the valve having a plurality of reaction shoulders of increasing diameters which are successively exposed to discharging pressure uid by opening movement of the valve, and the housing having relief ports which are exposed to such uid by the opening movement of the valve after exposure of the first reaction shoulder, the housing behind the valve forming a closed chamber except for vent ports of limited capacity through the walls thereof; and means including coacting ports in the valve and housing for connecting said closed chamber with the space below the rst exposed reaction shoulder when the valve is within a limited range of motion whose lower limit is the point of exposure of said relief ports and whose upper limit is below the full open position of said valve.

'7. The combination defined in claim 6 in which the coacting ports are lannular grooves in the valve and housing, the groove in the-valve being near the upper margin of the valve and connected with the space below the first reaction shoulder by at least one passage formed in the valve.

8. In a safety valve the combination of a valve housing formed with a cylinder-like guideway for a piston-like poppet valve, a valve seat and a discharge passage leading to said seat; a pistonlike valve movable in said guideway to and from said seat; yielding means urging said valve toward said seat, the valve and housing having two coacting sets of reaction shoulders which are successively exposed to discharging pressure fluid as `the valve moves in an opening direction, and the vhousing having relief ports which are exposed to such fluid after exposure of the rst set of reaction shoulders and fully exposed thereto in the valve,` and thehousing-havingrelief ports which HWideopenposition.ofzthczvalvfav the housing -be hind.` thevalve formingfa. closedfchamber except for ventvports'of;liimtedv capacity through the walls thereof; andmeans including coacting ports in the valve and housing for connectingsaid V5` closed chamber with'- the space between the iirst set y-of reaction shoulders, the parts being so arranged that as the valve moves to wide open position initialopening movement exposes the rst set ofreaction shoulders to discharging pressure fluid, then the-second shoulder'on the valve starts to open said relief ports,then the second set of reaction shoulders are exposed todischarging pressure iiuid,and vthe connection to the closed chamber is opened as said second shoulder starts to open the relief portsfand.. is closed not later than the exposure ofthe .second set of reaction shoulders. l

9'. The combination diined in claim 8 in which during the closing movement of the valve the s, opening ofthe connection to the closed chamber precedeslthe closure ofthe relief ports by the second reaction shoulder onthe valve.

10..In a safety valve the combination of a valve housing formed with a cylinder-like guide- '25 wayfor av piston-like poppet valve, a valve seat and a discharge passage leading to said seat; a piston-like poppet valve movable in saidguideway to and from saidseat; yielding means urging said valve towardY said seat, the valve having@0 a plurality of reactionshoulders of increasing diameters which are successively exposed to discharging'pressure uid by opening movement of the valve, andithe housing having relief ports which are exposed to such fluid by the opening 35 movementof the valveV after exposure of the rst reaction shoulder, the housing behind the valve forming a closed chamber except for vent ports of limited capacitythrough the walls thereof; and means including coacting yports in the Valver l40 and housing for connecting said closed chamber before termination of exposure of the relief ports to discharging pressure fluid.

'LEWIS f A. SAFFORD.

JOHN M. LOVE. 

